What Is the Pneumococcal Vaccine?

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV)—Recommended for certain children and adults. The PCV23 vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.

The vaccines are made from inactivated bacteria. They are given by injection under the skin or into the muscle. The goal of getting a vaccine is that later, when you are exposed to the bacteria, you will not get sick from it.

Who Should Get Vaccinated and When?

PCV

The PCV is routinely given in four doses at 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months. It can also be given to children with high-risk conditions.

If your child has not been vaccinated or missed a dose, talk to the doctor. Depending on your child's age, additional doses may be needed. Also, an additional dose may be needed if your child:

Is less than 5 years old and was given PCV7, which is an earlier version of the vaccine

Has a condition that increases the risk of severe disease

PPSV

The PPSV is given to adults aged 65 and older.

PPSV is also given to anyone aged 2 to 64 who has certain conditions, such as:

PPSV is also given to anyone aged 2 to 64 who is taking a drug or treatment that lowers the body's ability to resist infection, such as:

Long-term steroids

Certain cancer drugs

Radiation therapy

The vaccine should be given at least 2 weeks before cancer treatment begins.

PPSV should also be given to any adult aged 19 to 64 years old who:

Is a smoker

Has asthma

In some cases, a second dose of PPSV may be needed. For example, a second dose is recommended for people 65 and older who got their first dose before they turned 65 and it has been more than 5 years since that dose. A second dose is also recommended for people 2 through 64 who have:

A damaged spleen or no spleen

Sickle cell disease

HIV infection or AIDS

Cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma

Nephrotic syndrome

An organ or bone marrow transplant

Been taking medication that lowers immunity, such as chemotherapy or long-term steroids

When a second dose is given, it should be 5 years after the first dose.

What Are the Risks Associated With the Pneumococcal Vaccine?

PCV

Generally, all vaccines have a small risk of serious problems. Side effects of PCV include:

Redness, tenderness, or swelling at the injection site

Fever

Drowsiness

Loss of appetite

Irritability

Acetaminophen is sometimes given to reduce pain and fever that may occur after getting a vaccine.
Giving
the medication at the time of the shot
may weaken the vaccine's effectiveness. Discuss the risks and benefits of taking acetaminophen with the doctor.

PPSV

Half of the people who get the vaccine have mild side effects. However, developing the disease is much more likely to cause serious problems than getting the vaccine. Side effects may include:

Redness or pain at the injection site

Fever

Muscle aches

Severe allergic reactions—rare

Who Should Not Get Vaccinated?

PCV

Children who should not receive the vaccine are those who:

Have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of PCV

Have had a severe allergy to one of the vaccine's parts

Are very ill

PPSV

You should not receive the PPSV if you:

Had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of PPSV

Had a severe allergy to one of the vaccine's components

Are very ill

What Other Ways Can Pneumococcal Disease Be Prevented Besides Vaccination?

You can prevent pneumococcal disease if you:

Avoid close contact with people who have infections.

Wash your hands regularly to reduce your risk of infection.

What Happens in the Event of an Outbreak?

In the event of an outbreak, all people who are eligible for a vaccine should receive it.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Recommended immunizations for adults by age.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-schedule-easy-read.pdf.
Accessed August 29, 2013.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Licensure of a 13-Valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and recommendations for use among children.
MMWR Recomm Rep. 2010;59(RR-11):1.